Dungeons and Dragons Online - Free to Play

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7

I think the casters are a great entry point due to the diversity of spells in DDO vs. most MMOs and the fact that new characters won't have the vast array of clickies to cast spells for them. The wizard I suggested would fill the role of a trapmonkey in the party but wouldn't fight like a rogue at all. It would predominantly use cc/buffs at lower levels (hypno, web, resist element, haste, ottos) as well as the repair on self/other WF and branch out into DPS only at later levels. The 28 point build and lack of tomes wouldn't really be a liability here.

Once the 2rog/18wiz unlocked drow or 32 point builds, acquired some +2 tomes and a decent stash of plat then I'd recommend rolling a 32 point TWF Pally with tomes and twinked gear.

A good plan...but would a newbie know enough to take your recommended Crowd Control spells AND be able to use them effectively? Heck, I still see so-called veterans that spam Direct Damage spells and don't understand why they (and the cleric) are out of mana halfway to the next shrine. Also, a rogue MUST learn to control aggro unless he enjoys dying all the time.

I think you're assuming someone has your background with multiple MMORPG's. If a newbie understands aggro management, mana conservation, saving throws, damage resistance, AND DDO's FPS-like style, then yes, he'd be great starting with your build. But if a newbie understood all that, he could pretty much start with any build and do well.

Also, a lot of PUGs don't want rogues - either the PUG leader isn't aware of what a rogue is capable of, or the PUG leader has had too much experience with badly played rogues. If a quest doesn't have a bad trap or lock, PUGs tend to prefer tanks and casters. A rogue is not going to be able to find as many LFM's.

I'm just saying that it takes a while to learn enough to play well, and as a newbie caster, I was quite frustrated until around level 7. Now that I know much more, my favorite character is a sorcerer.

Rogues in DDO is significantly different han rogues in other MMO's - you can't go invisible and most PUGs are too impatient to wait on you to unlock a door, reset a trap, open a chest, etc.

/totally agree about the caster comment - I chose the mage route and it's a frikken blast.

 

[topslop1]

I can't get it to sign up on the site. It goes through and puts me to the download page but then when I try to access my account off of the client it gives me a rejection error. Are the sign up servers down? What am I doing wrong? I am checking the agreement at the bottom to let it know that I agree to the terms etc and it gives me the next page. When I'm on the download page and I click download for DDO it routes me back to the sign up page where I just put my info into.

 

[Arglebargle]

There are all sorts of 'little issues' with the accounts setup right now. Only certain browsers work apparantly. I tried it with IE8 and it didn't work, ended up getting through with Firefox. Check the forums for issues: there were two or three things that could cause trouble as I recall...

 

[topslop1]

alright thanks argle - I'll check it out. Is everyone on a specific server? Is there a 'best' server for PVP and for east coast players?

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: topslop1
alright thanks argle - I'll check it out. Is everyone on a specific server? Is there a 'best' server for PVP and for east coast players?

I've only played on Thelanis. As far as I know, there is no regional specialization for any of the servers beyond North America or Europe.

They recently started Cannith server, so I think you'll find fewer high-level characters on there.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: coloumb

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7

I think the casters are a great entry point due to the diversity of spells in DDO vs. most MMOs and the fact that new characters won't have the vast array of clickies to cast spells for them. The wizard I suggested would fill the role of a trapmonkey in the party but wouldn't fight like a rogue at all. It would predominantly use cc/buffs at lower levels (hypno, web, resist element, haste, ottos) as well as the repair on self/other WF and branch out into DPS only at later levels. The 28 point build and lack of tomes wouldn't really be a liability here.

Once the 2rog/18wiz unlocked drow or 32 point builds, acquired some +2 tomes and a decent stash of plat then I'd recommend rolling a 32 point TWF Pally with tomes and twinked gear.

A good plan...but would a newbie know enough to take your recommended Crowd Control spells AND be able to use them effectively? Heck, I still see so-called veterans that spam Direct Damage spells and don't understand why they (and the cleric) are out of mana halfway to the next shrine. Also, a rogue MUST learn to control aggro unless he enjoys dying all the time.

I think you're assuming someone has your background with multiple MMORPG's. If a newbie understands aggro management, mana conservation, saving throws, damage resistance, AND DDO's FPS-like style, then yes, he'd be great starting with your build. But if a newbie understood all that, he could pretty much start with any build and do well.

Also, a lot of PUGs don't want rogues - either the PUG leader isn't aware of what a rogue is capable of, or the PUG leader has had too much experience with badly played rogues. If a quest doesn't have a bad trap or lock, PUGs tend to prefer tanks and casters. A rogue is not going to be able to find as many LFM's.

I'm just saying that it takes a while to learn enough to play well, and as a newbie caster, I was quite frustrated until around level 7. Now that I know much more, my favorite character is a sorcerer.

Rogues in DDO is significantly different han rogues in other MMO's - you can't go invisible and most PUGs are too impatient to wait on you to unlock a door, reset a trap, open a chest, etc.

/totally agree about the caster comment - I chose the mage route and it's a frikken blast.

What would be a good DPS melee build ? I don't really care for casters.. I have rolled several in other games and they never held my interest.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Yreka

What would be a good DPS melee build ? I don't really care for casters.. I have rolled several in other games and they never held my interest.

I'd recommend a TWF (Two Weapon Fighter - one weapon in each hand) Ranger. Yeah, I know...when I think of "Ranger", I think of a guy with a bow and arrows, but in DDO, a TWF Ranger is an awesome build. You do a ton of damage, a lot of killing, self-heal to some extent, and can cast buffs on the rest of your party.

My main melee character is a 13 Ranger/4 Fighter. The Fighter levels were basically to add "Feats". My standing Armor Class is pretty decent, even without a bunch of Raid items. I can even be pretty deadly with a bow and arrow.

The basic build is here., but only goes up to level 16, and I deviated somewhat from it. The level cap is now 20. I'm probably going to go with the rest of my levels being Ranger.

My first melee character was a pure fighter, but heal potions get expensive. Heal wands are much less expensive (although still not cheap). I ended up adding one level of Ranger just to be able to use Heal wands.

You could also create a pure Fighter, Paladin, or Barbarian. Each has it's pros and cons. I tried a pure Barbarian, but just couldn't get over not being able to self-heal. Debatably, a Two-handed Weapon (1 big weapon needs both hands) barbarian has the highest melee DPS, but they also tend to take a lot of damage. I personally don't like being almost completely reliant on the cleric to heal me up.

 

[Yreka]

Thanks, will check the Ranger out.. I like the idea of being somewhat self reliant too.. Especially if my wife decides to start playing. She tends to go the cleric/healer route.

Worked really well in Eq2 for us.. I played a Berzerker ( DPS Tank) and she played a Warden ( Defensive Druid). We were able to duo many of the standard dungeons/zones right up until the end game. We both really miss playing, but with young kids can't justify the extra $30 per month for the amount of time we would play. Hopefully, since EQ was loosely based on DD, this will fill the gap.

 

[astrosfan315]

you aren't lying about the wands..my cleric went through 6 wands last night on one adventure. Luckily all the people in the group gave me 500 plat afterwards as a thanks for keeping them healed.

 

[drebo]

I'm playing on Cannith. It's a blast. Seems to have a decent amount of mature players, though there are definitely some morons. Cleric in a PUG last night doing Irestone Inlet didn't cast a single heal spell once the entire time. Morons.

My build is Barbarian/Rogue. I have Oversized TWF with two bastard swords...it's awesome. At some point, I may trade the bastard swords out for khopeshs for the x3 crit, but i'm happy with the bastard swords for now.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: astrosfan315
you aren't lying about the wands..my cleric went through 6 wands last night on one adventure. Luckily all the people in the group gave me 500 plat afterwards as a thanks for keeping them healed.

Just remember that you play your character the way YOU want to play. If you're okay with using personal resources to ensure the group succeeds, then fine. But don't feel obligated just because you're the cleric. By far, I think most people agree that a cleric is the most expensive class to play.

 

[Arglebargle]

I finally got a character or two built and run through the initial couple of missions. I am amused that, without benefit of advice, I ended up with a Barbarian w/ two handed axe and a Ranger two weapon fighter as my concepts.

 

[waggy]

its not bad. i don't like the micro pay to play type stuff. bt its nto bad.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: drebo
I'm playing on Cannith. It's a blast. Seems to have a decent amount of mature players, though there are definitely some morons. Cleric in a PUG last night doing Irestone Inlet didn't cast a single heal spell once the entire time. Morons.

My build is Barbarian/Rogue. I have Oversized TWF with two bastard swords...it's awesome. At some point, I may trade the bastard swords out for khopeshs for the x3 crit, but i'm happy with the bastard swords for now.

If you find you have trouble hitting Mobs, remember that you take a "to hit" penalty for dual-wielding. Switch to sword and shield to remove the penalty (and increase your Armor Class). I'm finding that many new players don't realize this, and I often hear in voice-chat, "I can't hit him!" while they swish away with two weapons. Later on, you can get more feats that reduce the "to hit" penalty.

 

[drebo]

I'm well aware of the Attack bonus penalty from TWF. That's why I got the feat Oversized TWF...it helped immensely, and I don't really have trouble hitting anymore. My Attack bonus is +12 when moving and +16 when standing still.

 

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: astrosfan315
you aren't lying about the wands..my cleric went through 6 wands last night on one adventure. Luckily all the people in the group gave me 500 plat afterwards as a thanks for keeping them healed.

Just remember that you play your character the way YOU want to play. If you're okay with using personal resources to ensure the group succeeds, then fine. But don't feel obligated just because you're the cleric. By far, I think most people agree that a cleric is the most expensive class to play.

:thumbsup:

Sounds like you were in a group which either didn't care or didn't know the casters spell power doesn't regenerate. These are either zerg groups or people who think they can duo/solo and expect you to come running to heal them. Unlike other MMO's - you really do need to play L4D style - stick together.

As a "healbot" - you see everything that goes on in the group - it's pretty easy to tell if they are being sloppy zergers or if it's just plain ole bad luck.

I'd personally avoid using wands unless absolutefreakinecessary - I'd say most of the instances are setup so the group can easily survive between rest stations.

Heck - just let the group know that you don't have any wands before the instance. They'll either drop you or think twice about bein' sloppy.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: drebo
I'm well aware of the Attack bonus penalty from TWF. That's why I got the feat Oversized TWF...it helped immensely, and I don't really have trouble hitting anymore. My Attack bonus is +12 when moving and +16 when standing still.

Great! Eventually, if you do elite difficulty and you're lower level than the quest, you might have trouble hitting mobs. Just remember my sword and board hint.

Also, watch your aggro. Kill counts mean nothing if you're sucking most of the cleric's mana. Not to say that you do it, but I see it all the time in PUGs. The glory hound "killing machine" thinks the cleric's mana bar is an extension of his health bar. When the party wipes because the cleric runs out of mana, there's a problem.

Mana cost for Raise dead: 25
Mana cost for Heal spell: 30
Mana cost for Empowered Heal spell: 40

Do the math.

 

[Yreka]

Ok, new Ranger ( soon to be Ranger / Rogue?) on Thelanis Named "Yreka".. Level 1 ATM, but I got one "skill point" to spend after doing the initial intro dungeon, and a run through the "crypt" solo..

I need to read up on the difference between leveling, skill points ( are these like AA points in everquest ?), and dual classing.

Pretty fun so far, definatey awesome for being free. Game reminds me alot of Guild Wars so far. ..

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Ok, new Ranger ( soon to be Ranger / Rogue?) on Thelanis Named "Yreka".. Level 1 ATM, but I got one "skill point" to spend after doing the initial intro dungeon, and a run through the "crypt" solo..

I need to read up on the difference between leveling, skill points ( are these like AA points in everquest ?), and dual classing.

Pretty fun so far, definatey awesome for being free. Game reminds me alot of Guild Wars so far. ..

Welcome to the game!

You probably got an "Action Point" which is very different from a "Skill Point." The more experience points that you earn, the more Action Points you get. There are 4 action points per character level. These may be spent on "Enhancements". (I dunno why they didn't just call them "enhancement points"). Enhancements can be reset at a class trainer every 3 days.

Skill points can NEVER be changed, and are only assigned when you gain a level. Choose wisely, young padawan.

You can multiclass up to three different classes on one character (e.g. monk/ranger/rogue). It is very easy to create a weak character if you don't understand the consequences. The DDO forums have a bunch of good builds if you want to try out multiclassing, and many builds are more fun than a single-class character.

However, keep in mind that for some spells, your CASTER level, not your character level, determines their effectiveness. For example, if you have a 10 Wizard/10 Fighter, and you cast a spell that does 1-6 points of damage per level, your spell does 10-60 damage, not 20-120.

 

[Yreka]

Thanks !

I think you are right, it was an Action point.. I don't think I am going to get too crazy with the cross-mojination, but some Rogue abilities sound cool ( mainly sneak attack).. I miss my epic backstabs (from EQ)

Do either of these classes have an evade/aggro reduction skill ?

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Thanks !

I think you are right, it was an Action point.. I don't think I am going to get too crazy with the cross-mojination, but some Rogue abilities sound cool ( mainly sneak attack).. I miss my epic backstabs (from EQ)

Do either of these classes have an evade/aggro reduction skill ?

Rogues get Evasion and Improved Evasion, and an aggro reduction Enhancement. You will get awesome backstabbing later. Play it right, and you will outkill tanks but need less healing.

Rangers get Evasion later than Rogues.

 

[SunnyD]

Is there an offline installer package for DDO? There's no way in hell I am using their Pando installer crap.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Is there an offline installer package for DDO? There's no way in hell I am using their Pando installer crap.

I couldn't find anything with a quick search. You might want to ask their technical support for a direct download link. The notes do say that once you install the game, you can uninstall the Pando installer.

 

[NoSoup4You]

I've never played an MMO before, but this seems like a good place to start. I convinced a close friend to try DDO with me. For two MMo virgins, any character class/build recommendations? We would likely only play as a 2 person group.

I have that Dwarf Ranger already created but could re-make a character if needed.

 

[Yreka]

How do you get access to the "32 point builds" ? Is there a pack you can buy, or need to be P2P ?